Three-pointers: Takeaways from Rockets' Game 1 win over Spurs

Three key takeaways from the Rockets' 126-99 Game 1 win against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night:

1. The Rockets shot well, as Tony Parker kept saying as if it were some sort of fluke that could not be duplicated. But that was not why the offense rolled so well and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has so much to consider. The Rockets did connect on 44 percent of their 3s, so sharpshooting had plenty to do with putting up 126 points on the NBA's No. 1 defense. They could misfire and it will all look very different. But the Rockets' offense owned the Spurs before the shots found their targets. James Harden toyed with the Spurs' big men in pick-and-roll coverage, breaking down the great Spurs defense and finding his shooters open at the 3-point line or Clint Capela in flight above the rim. Switching on screens was a disaster, but the Spurs also were unable to get out to Ryan Anderson on the rapid pick-and-pops. When the Rockets ran, using their customary dash to the corners and wings, rather than the traditional NBA fast break designed to converge at the rim and cross over to the corners, the Spurs could barely get back and rarely could clog the middle when they did. The Rockets basically ran their offense like a clinic to demonstrate their beliefs with the Spurs unable to stop them. Popovich could consider adding the more athletic Dewayne Dedmon and Jonathan Simmons to the mix. The Rockets can expect to see adjustments in coverage. But when they spoke about their play, they didn't cite their shooting as much as their execution, with Mike D'Antoni saying if the Spurs take away 3s, the Rockets will just take their layups. Harden, he said, will decide as he goes, as if it is just that easy. On Monday, it was.

2. James Harden paused and smoothly came up with the most diplomatic response he could find. Asked if he notices a difference between LaMarcus Aldridge when he ripped the Rockets in the playoffs with the Trail Blazers and the version that bombed in Game 1, Harden did not take the bait. "We all know how talented he is," Harden said. There was no disputing, however, that Aldridge looked like the far less talented, less confident older brother of the player the Rockets saw in the postseason before the summer he became the most coveted free agent in the NBA. The Spurs expected to have an advantage inside. The Rockets don't mind that, believing that Ryan Anderson's 3s will be worth more than Aldridge's mid-range 2s. But Aldridge could not give the Spurs even that. Some of that was because of the Rockets' rapid and strong double-teams, but even when Aldridge could go one-on-one, he seemed tentative, as if he couldn't wait for Kawhi Leonard to take over. Aldridge made 2 of 6 shots in the first half. He took one in the second half, missing it, and finishing with four points. The Spurs' big men – Aldridge, Pau Gasol and David Lee – former All Stars all, combined for 14 points, with as many turnovers (4) as field goals. Clint Capela alone outscored them, finishing with 20 points and 13 rebounds in just 25 minutes. The Spurs might have expected to have a mismatch in a battle of big men. They just did not expect Capela to dominate the players that had once been stars.

3. Unprompted, the Rockets repeatedly said the blowout was just one game. They do not get extra credit for leading by 39 or winning by 27. The Rockets, however, have been better for much of this season when doubted or threatened. They have generally handled adversity better than prosperity. Even in their romp through December, they were still playing with a determination to answer the doubts about them. There is no reason to doubt the Spurs will bounce back. When asked about a potential hangover, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said coaches worry about everything, but that was one thing that did not concern him. From the opening tip, the Rockets played as if they knew they would have to be at their best, defending with determination and running and moving the ball with off-the-charts energy. They played as if they knew how great the challenge would be. It still will be. On some level, the Rockets knew that and said all the right things. But it will be difficult to be build the same attitude after a blowout win as they had when they viewed the Spurs as the long-time championship contenders that the Rockets aspire to be. The Rockets came into the series believing they could beat the Spurs, that they match up well and have their own strengths to exploit. They also knew how great a challenge that would be. They have to know that still, even after the Game 1 romp. That could be a tougher task than anything they faced on Monday.